Centrifugal separator



2 Seets-Sheet l March 17, 1942. A. U. AYREs Erm.

CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Filed oct. 25, 1939 NVENTORSI rhurUAyres Georg QH. '1U By QV. ATTORNEY March 17,. 1942 A. u. AYREs 'ET AL 2,276,280

' CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Filed oct. 25, 1939 2 sheets-sheet 2 l W/QQ I N VEN TORS.'

Arthur U. Ayres Geox/qe' H. H LU,4

19m/MQW ATTORNEY Patented Mar.v 17, 1342 -CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR lArthur U. Ayres, Chestnut Hill, Pa., and George H. Hill, Westfield, N. J., assignors to The Sharples Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application October 25, 1939, Serial No. 301,144' 140mm. (ci. 23a-54s) The present invention pertains to centrifugal separators designed to effect separation of two immiscible liquids from each other and separate discharge of said liquids from the centrifugal rotor under liquid balance.

An object of the invention has been to effect more eicient separation of liquids than has heretofore been possible in machines of this type. As the result of the accomplishment of this object, it is possible, by use of machines constructed in accordance with the features of the invention, to increase the e'iciency of the separating operation at a given rate of flow of the mixture of liquids to :and through the centrifugal separator, or to increase the rate of flow, and hence the capacity of the machine, without impairing the efliciency of the separatingjoperation.

The eiiiciency of separation of liquids under the influence of. centrifugal lforce has, in ceny trifugal separators heretofore available, been impaired by reason of'two -physical features inherent in the design of` centrifugal separators, as follows:

1. Turbulence created in the separating chamber ofthe centrifugal rotor has the result of re-mixing the subsided heavier constituent with the lighter constituent.

2. There has been a tendency for a part of the stratified heavier constituent in the centrifugal rotor to be drawn inwardly toward the dam over which the lighter constituent is discharged from the main body of the centrifugal rotor. The high velocity of ilow of the lighter constituent over the dam causes suction of stratied heavier liquid inwardly, and consequent remixing, in centrifugal separators f conventional design.

An object of the invention has been to avoid the above defects in prior art centrifugal separators.

Further objects of the invention, and the mannerin which they have been attained, will be evident from a reading of the follow specification in the light of the attached drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the general structure of a `centrifugal machine constructed in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view through the upper end o f the centrifugal rotor illustrated in Figure 1. l

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, thenumeral I0 designates the frame of a centrifugal separator which includes a casing lI threaded connections.

for the rotor of the machine. The mixture of liquids under treatment is fed tothe rotor 20. which rotates within the casing Il. The feed means may be of conventional character, and include a conduit I2 which is attached to a feed nozzle I4 by means of a removable connection end of the rotor may be of any desired type but `I prefer to employ the type illustrated in the patent to W. H. Bath, N0. 1,750,154, dated March 11, 1930, for Centrifugal machine. Such an arrangement involves a spreader disc I5 (or cone). This disc I5 may be secured within the ported within conventional drag mechanism I8 of the general type illustrated in the aforementioned patent to Bath.

Both the base I9 and the head 22 of the rotor are secured to its main body by means of screw- The head of the rotor is Iprovided with a reduced neck 23 which passes through an arrangement of covers 24 adapted to receive the liquids discharged from the rotor and direct these liquids -away from the rotor. The neck 23 is secured to the drive spindle 25 by any suitable coupling connection, and this drive spindle 25 is in turn connected to a source of power for rotating the rotor (not shown). A plurality of discharge passages 26 and 26 are arranged within the neck of the head of the rotor and are adapted to direct liquids passing from the m-ain body of the rotor into the covers.

In the operation of the machine, a mixture of liquids is injected through a reduced opening in the upper end of the feed nozzle I4 under pressure and impinges against the spreader disc I5, which causes the mixture to flow outwardly against the periphery of the rotor in the form of a thin spray. Such material will gradually fill the rotor, forming an axially extending substantially cylindrical layer within the inner circumference thereof under the influence of centrifugal force. The centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotor will erl'ect a movement of the heavier liquid through the lighter liquid and against the periphery of the rotor. When the liquids within the rotor reach a sufficient depth to overflow the weir 21, the lighter liquid will be continuously discharged through the inner discharge passages 26 at the same time that the heavier liquid is discharged through the passages 26'. A ring dam 28 controls the discharge of The feed and bearing features of the lower the heavier efuent from the centrifugal rotor, and the relation between the inner circumference of this ring dam 28 and the weir 21 determines the dividing line between liquids subjected to separation within the rotor, after an equilibrium condition has been reached.

tures without departing from the spirit of the invention. lThe novel features of the invention pertain to the provision of an enlarged stratify ing chamber adjacent the zone of discharge of the heavier liquid from the main body of the centrifugal rotor. The heavier liquid, after separation from the mixture of liquids passed to the main separating chamber 2Q of the rotor, is smoothly passed to a zone of larger diameter before being discharged from the rotor. In order to accomplish this result, the head 22 of the rotor is provided with a .plurality of milled openings' 30 communicating with the separating chamber 29, and connected by means of drilled holes 3| with an annular zone 32 of substantially larger diameter than the main separating charn-A ber of the rotor. The line of ow of the heavier liquid through the slots 3l is in the same general direction as the line of ow through the main separating chamber of the rotor, since the axes 33 of' the holes 3| form an obtuse angle with respect to the rotor axis.

The ring dam 28 is removable and interchangeable with other ring dams of larger or smaller internal diameter, in order to render the ma.- chine adjustable to obtain the desired liquid balance conditions with respect to the particular liquids being subjected to centrifugation.

These ring dams are preferably so co-related with the inner circumference of the portion 32 of the rotor, the inner circumference of the wear 21, and the relative specific gravities of the liquids to be subjected to centrifugation, as to afford separating conditions such that the dividing line between the liquids being subjected to centrifugation is of greater diameter than the maximum internal diameter of the main separating chamber of the rotor; i. e., the dividing line between the stratified liquids in the the effect of accelerator wings in maintaining the heavier liquid at the speed of rotation of the rotor, thereby avoiding turbulence such as would occur in case an accelerator structure were not provided in this region. The heavier liquid will be collected within the holes 3| and space 32 and discharged under liquidbalance against the lighter liquid through the slots 26 and across the ring dam 28. Since the direction of flow of the heavier liquid through the holes 3| is such as to provide no sudden reversal of flow incident to passage of the heavier liquid into the space 32, turbulence and danger of re-mixing of separated constituents will be avoided in this zone. Tendency for the heavier liquid to be discharged across the weir 2l with the lighter liquid is likewise avoided, since no substantial layer of heavier liquid is maintainedv in the main separating chamber of the rotor 2s.

In the practice of the invention, it is preferable that a centrifugal rotor having a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical cross section be employed, since the use of such a rotor is best adapted to the attainment of the object of maintenance of a minimum quantity of the heavier separated eiliuent in the main separating chamber of the rotor.

It is also preferable that a centrifugal rotor be employed which contains no stratifying discs, or in any case, to avoid feed of liquid `through openings located between the inner and outer circumferences of stratifying discs. Feed of liquid through such openings, in a machine having the features of my invention, would involve mixing of the mixture of liquids fed to the rotor with lighter liquid from which the heavier liquid has 4been substantially completely removed, and

' would thus, to a large extent, -defeat the objects of the invention. A 40.

the head. This rotor lies beyond the inner circumference of the separating chamber 29,.and within the drilled holes 3|. i

'I'he manner in which the objects of the invention have been attained will now be apparent. The mixture of liquids fed to the rotor through the feed nozzle M is passed by the spreader disc I5 against the wall of the rotor. 'Ihe heavier liquid is forced, under the influence of centrifugal force, to pass to the inner circumference of the circumferential wall of the main separating chamber 29'of the rotor. Since 'the dividing line between stratified liquids is radially beyond the inner circumference of the chamber 29, however,l no substantial quantity of the heavier liquid will collect in the chamber 23, and the particles of heavier liquid separated in this chamber will remain at the very yperiphery of the chamber and flow rapidly upward intothe chamber 32. These particles will be retained at the 'same velocity of rotation as the rotor during passage outwardly to chamber 32, by the milled slots 30 and drilled holes 3|, which have ited except by the scope of the sub-joined claims.

particular advantage of the invention consists in avoidance of re-mixing of liquids after sedimentation of the heavier liquid has once been accomplished, and the use of discs having feed openings would cause such remixing, gger adjacent the discharge of liquids from the The main body of the head of the rotor is preferably constructed of two or more parts, in order to facilitate cleaning of the rather complicated series of passages 30, 3| and 26 through is accomplished by providing a surrounding sleeve 3|, which is connected by an external screw-threaded arrangement 35 with the outer circumference o f the head 22, as illustrated. When the operator wishes to clean the rotor, he first ring dam 28 is clamped in place, and he then removes the sleeve 34 from the head 22, and the head 22 from the main body, of the rotor. When the machine is dlsassembled'in this manner, the passages 30, 3| and 26 lare readily accessible for cleaning.

Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and I do not therefore wish to be lim- I claim:

1. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of lliquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balafter separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force,

removes the nut 36 by which the and a chamber of substantially larger diameter than said main separating chamber in th line of flow of liquid from said main separ chamber to the weir over which the heavier eilluent flows from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber'and'with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier effluent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter being provided with accelerator means to maintain the heavier eiliuent discharged into said chamber at a uniform velocity of rotation during its passage from the mainbody of the rotor through said chamber of enlarged diameter, whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

2. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after iseparation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence ofv centrifugal force, and a chamber of larger diameter than said main separating chamber adjacent the zone of discharge of the heavier eiiiuent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating With the main separating chamber and with the weir for controlling discharge ofthe heavier eifluent from the centrifugal rotor, said ingy chamber of larger diameter being provided witlr accelerator wings to maintain the heavier effluent discharged into said chamber at a uniform velocity'of rotation during its passage from the main body of the rotor through saidchamber of enlarged diameter, said weirs being so proportioned that in normal operation the diameter of centrifugal rotor, separate weirs forcontrolling separatedischarge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the inuence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of substantially larger diameter than said main separating chamber inl the line of flow of liquid from said main separating chamber to the Weir over which the heavier eilluent flows from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier efiluent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter being provided with accelerator wings to maintain the heavier eiliuent discharged into said portion at a uniform velocity of rotation during its passage from the main body of the rotor through said chamber of enlarged diameter, the' entrance to said chamber of larger diameter extending in the same general direction as the line of flow of liquid through the main separating chamber of the rotor, and at an obtuse angle with respect to said line, whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from'a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

4. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling 'separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against eachot'her after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of larger diameter than said main separating chamber adjacent the zone of discharge of the heavier efiiuent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with`the main separating chamber and with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier eiliuent from the centrifugal rotor, said weirs beingso proportioned that in normal operation the diameter of the dividing line between the separated balance liquids in said centrifugal rotor is greater than the maximum internal diameter of the main separating cham-ber of the rotor.

5. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids ,to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in lsaid centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of larger diameter than said main separating chamber adjacent the zone of discharge of the heavier eilluent from thel centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber 'and with the Weir for controlling d ischarge of the heavier eilluent from the centrifugal rotor, said weirs beingA so proportioned that in normal operation the diameter of the dividing line between the separated balanced `liquids in said centrifugal rotor is greater than the maximum internal diameter of the main separating chamber of the rotor, and the inner circumference of the chamber of larger diameter extending in the same general direction as the line of flow of liquid through the main separating chamber of the rotor, and at an obtuse angle with respect to said line.

6. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type,la centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after Aseparation vthereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid isr adapted to occur under ,the influence `of centrifugal force, and a chamber of substantially .larger diameter than said main separating chamcommunication between the main separating chamber and said chamber of larger diameter to maintain the heavier eilluent discharged into said chamber of larger diameter at a uniform velocity of rotation as it passes from the main body portion of the rotor to said chamber of enlarged diameter, whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

7. In a centrifugal separator `of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling sepv of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the weir for controlling discharge of the heavier eiliuent from the centrifugal rotor, said rotor being provided with accelerator wings in the zone of communication between the main 'separating chamber and said chamber of larger diameter and in said chamber of larger diameter, to maintain the heavier effluent discharged into said chamber at a uniform velocity of rotation during-its passage from' the main body of the rotor to and through said chamber of larger diameter, whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

stantially cylindrical cross section in which sedimentation of the .heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force,y and a 'chamber of larger diameter than y'said main separating chamber adjacent the zone of discharge of the heavier eiiluent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communieating with the main separating chamber and with the weir for controlling discharge of the rotor.

10. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid bal-v ance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling sep- 8. In a centrifugalseparator of the liquid balance type; a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugall rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical cross section in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the inuence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of substantially larger diameter than said main separating chamber in the line of ilow of liquid from said main separating chamber to the Weir over which the heavier eiiluent ows from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier effluent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter being provided with accelerator wings to maintain the heavier eiiluent discharged into said portion at a uniform velocity of rotation during its passage from the main body of the rotor through said chamber of enlarged diameter, whereby turbulence which would otherwisevoccur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a'larger diameter is avoided.

9. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixtureof liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for'controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of subarate discharge 4of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantiallycylindrical cross. section in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of substantially larger diameter than said main separating chamber in the line of iiow of liquid from said main separating chamber to the Weir over which the heavier effluent flows from the centrifugal raton-said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier eiiluent from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber .of larger diameter being provided with accelerator wings to maintain the heavier eiliuent discharged into said portion at a uniform velocity of rotation during its passage from the main body of the rotor through said chamber of enlarged diameter, the entrance to said chamber of larger diameter extending in the same general direction as the line of flow of liquid through the main separating chamber of the rotor, and at an obtuse -ang'le with respect to said line, 4whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

1l. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical cross section in chamber and with the Weir forcontrolling discharge of the heavier effluent from the centrifugal rotor, said weirs being so proportioned that in normal operation the diameter of the dividing line between the separated balanced liquids in said centrifugal rotor is greater than the ymaximum internal diameter of .the main separating chamber of the rotor.

12. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, a centrifugal rotor, means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated to the centrifugal rotor, separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said lcentrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical crossV section in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of larger diameter than said main separating chamber adjacent .the zone of discharge of the heavier eiiluent Ifrom the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the weir for controlling discharge of the heavier effluent from the centrifugal rotor, said weirs being so proportioned that in normal operation the diameter of the dividing line between the separated balanced liquids in said 'centrifugal rotor is greater than the maximum internal diameter of the main separating chamber of the rotor, said centrifugal rotor being greater than the maximum internal diameter of the main separating chamber of the rotor, and the entrance to said chamber of larger diameter extending in the same general direction as the line of flow of liquid through the main separating chamber of the rotor, and at an obtuse angle with respect to said line. Y

13. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid balance type, acentrifugal rotor. means for feeding a mixture of liquids to be separated'to the centrifugal rotor. separate weirs for controlling separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical cross section in which sedimentation ofthe heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the influence of centrifugal force,

and a. chamber of substantially larger diameter than said-main separating chamber in the line of flow of liquid from said main separating -chamber to the weir over which the heavier effluent flows from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating. chamber and with the Weir for controlling discharge of the heavier eilluent from the centrifugal rotor, said rotor being provided with accelerator wings in the zone of communication between the main separating chamber and said chamber of larger diameter to maintain the heavier efiluent discharged into said chamber of larger diameter at a uniform velocity of rotation as it passes from the main body portion of the rotor to said chamber of enlarged diameter. whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller to a larger diameter is avoided.

14. In a centrifugal separator of the liquid separate discharge of said liquids under liquid balance against each other after separation thereof in said centrifugal rotor, said centrifugal rotor comprising a main separating chamber of substantially cylindrical cross section in which sedimentation of the heavier liquid is adapted to occur under the iniiuence of centrifugal force, and a chamber of substantially larger diameter than said main separating chamber in the line of ilow of liquid from said main separating chamber to the weir overv which the heavier eiuent rflows from the centrifugal rotor, said chamber of larger diameter communicating with the main separating chamber and with the weir for controlling discharge of the heavier eiiluent from the centrifugal rotor, said rotor being provided with accelerator wings in the zone of communication between the main separating chamber and said chamber of larger diameter and in said chamber of larger diameter, to maintain the heavier eiiluent discharged into said chamber of larger diameter at a uniform velocity of rotation during its passage from the main body -oi! the rotor to and through said chamber of larger diameter, whereby turbulence which would otherwise occur in passage of the liquid from a smaller -to a larger diameter is avoided.

ARTHUR U. AYRES.

GEORGE H. HEL.

; Patent No. 2,276,280.

f 'GERTIFIGATE op' coacToN.'

, A March 17, 19h2. .ARTHURHm Ams, m' A1,.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed e-pe'ci;|."ie mtion of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, first column, Vline 1411 f-or the word "follow", read '--following-- page 2, first column', line h5, for "weer" reed --v'veir-w; page 5 second colmnnpline 25,

for lbalanee" reed -ba1anced; page 5, first column, lines 28, 29 andv 50, Aclaim 12, strike out "said centrifugal rotor being greater then the mlximum internal diameterv of the main 'separating chamber of the rotor,";a nd that the seid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein t that the same may conform to therecord of the case inthe Patent Office.

signed and sealed this '25th day of nay, A. D.-19L|.2.

- .HenryA van rsdale, (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patenti.v 

